The fatal incident occurred at 9:20 a.m. Wednesday, as Locasio was pinned between two Bradley fighting vehicles being prepared for rail movement to Fort Irwin, Calif., for the brigade's monthlong trainup for Iraq at the National Training Center.

Combat medics from the unit were on the marshaling site at Fort Hood and treated Locasio until Fort Hood ambulances arrived.

Locasio, originally from Arizona, started his Army career at 4th Infantry Division in 1994 and had been stationed in Korea, Germany and Fort Stewart, Ga., before returning to Fort Hood.

"He missed deploying to Iraq all that time," said Lt. Col. Steve Stover, 4th Infantry Division spokesman. "He wasn't trying to avoid it, he has always been in a combat unit. He was getting ready to go now."

"The whole command staff and over half our brigade is already out here doing leaders training," said Col. Ted Martin, Locasio's brigade commander, speaking to the Killeen Daily Herald from Fort Irwin. "We are shocked and saddened at this tragic accident."

Martin said that he ordered his whole brigade at Fort Hood and the units already at Irwin to conduct a "safety stand down" and retrain on all vehicle loading safety procedures.

The incident is under investigation. Meanwhile, the unit will observe memorial services for Locasio, at Fort Irwin and Fort Hood at a time to be announced.

The mission for training for Iraq has to continue with the Fort Irwin training, explained Martin.

"If we have to push any timelines back for safety issues we will," Martin said.

Locasio is survived by a wife and two children.

"If I could turn back the clock and bring him back, I would," Martin said. "But I can't."